What's New: Feed the Heroes or Lose the Heroes.
For twenty-five years, I have explored, predicted, created prototypes for, created guides for, and otherwise driven major changes in formal learning, from online learning, to simulations and experiential learning, to adding game elements, to micro-schools, to Short Sims. Many seemed counter-cultural at the time and have become mainstream today. Now, there is a new, greater, even irresistible, opportunity to transform how we learn and how we work.
Most organizations are built on a foundation of easily-replaceable employees and managers who follow instructions but rarely change the trajectory of the mission. This top-down model echoes most schools and is reinforced by corporate training.
Heroic Tribes are the alternative to easily-replaceable employees. They are self-organizing, excellence-striving, and mission-driven by high-agency individuals who grow every day by doing impactful work. Leadership teams and some development and sales teams are heroically organized. The heroes are well fed, and they alone create real value.
Now, as corporations are seeking to shed layers of managers and employees are looking for more meaning and mentoring, we can't afford not to bring out the hero in more of us.
Whether through the bottom-up transformation of Socratic Cards or the organizational shifts to broader Hero-Driven cultures, my work is dedicated to providing the tools for everyone who wants to grow and become the indispensable heroes they yearn to be.